Movies.com Critics

Metascore®Generally favorable reviewsbased on a weighted average of allcritic review scores.

70

out of 100

The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeFore

A quick pace and always-enjoyable lead Joseph Gordon-Levitt will please moviegoers, even if the picture's ticking-clock approach isn't as invigoratingly pulpy here as in the Koepp-penned "Snake Eyes" and "Panic Room."

Premium Rush earns its place as end-of-the-summer escapism, but I can't say that it's more than a well-done formula flick. At this point, it's just one more movie-as-ride. But this one at least lives up to its title.

You're looking for depth and profundity, this is the wrong movie. But under the direction of David Koepp ("Secret Window," the screenplays for "Mission: Impossible" and "Spider-Man"), this is an expert and spellbinding adventure.

Parents need to know that Premium Rush is an exhilarating thriller filled with bone-crunching bike-and-car chases and crashes and a few physical confrontations (some with firearms involved). Bike messengers (including one played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) weave in and out of traffic at a dangerous, sometimes cringe-inducing pace. So you can expect plenty of accident scenes, including one that shows a man falling under the wheels of an oncoming vehicle. There's also some swearing (one "f--k," plus "s--t," "a--hole," etc.) and a bit of kissing/flirting and social drinking.

Families can talk about how Premium Rush's tension compares to bloodier violence in other movies. Which has more of an impact on you? Why?

Why do you think bike messengers ride around cities at such a dangerous clip? What's in it for them? Are the motivations presented here believable?

Is Wilee an admirable character? Why?

The good stuff

Messages: You can't hesitate: When someone's in trouble, you do what you can for people in need.

Role models: Wilee is kind, if reckless. He's willing to help, even if it means his life could be thrown in danger. All the bikers share a great camaraderie.

What to watch for

Violence: Lots of peril/tense scenes as bike messengers navigate New York's dangerous streets, darting through cars and trucks at full speed. They're frequently at risk, and they have bad -- sometimes deadly -- crashes (one scene shows someone falling under a vehicle's wheels). A man with a bad temper strikes without hesitation without provocation. He's shown beating someone up, causing the man's death. Another man shoots someone point blank.

Sex: Kissing, flirting, and some sexual innuendo.

Language: Strong language includes one use of "f--k," plus many uses of "s--t," "p---y," "damn," "bitch," "douchebag," "a--hole," "hell," "goddamn," "oh my God," and more. A guy gives another the finger.

Consumerism: Brands/logos are seen everywhere as bikes whiz through New York City: Chase Bank, Rite-Aid, Amalgamated Bank, and more.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Some social drinking in bars among adult co-workers.

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